Russellville Cyclones golfer Austin Smith signed an NCAA Division II national of intent with Arkansas Tech University on Friday in front of family, friends and teammates. The university offered Smith full tuition to play golf while furthering his education.

During his time as a Cyclone, Smith won six ASGA golf tournaments, a feat that has never before been achieved by a Russellville golfer. That’s one of many firsts for Smith. He was also awarded the ASGA Beau Glover Award as the 2012 ASGA Junior Boys Player of the Year, which has never gone to a Russellville native. Smith set tournament record scores in the Monk Wade Junior Classic and the Tim Zimmerebner Junior Classic.

“He just — very early in life displayed a natural talent to swing a golf club,” his father, Rick Smith, said. “Whenever he was in second grade his physical education teacher at Center Valley, Jeanie Strasner, acquired a set of golf clubs for the kids to use.”

“His face lit up every time he hit a ball,” Strasner said. “And he had a really nice swing, by the way. Even at that early of an age.”

Smith led the Cyclones to a 2012 Class 6A state runners-up finish, was awarded all-conference honors in 2010-12, All-State honors 2011-12, qualified for the ASGA 2012 Overall high school championship tournament, and was selected as part of the Arkansas Team for the Inaugural Souther Cup Match Play Championship.

While Smith may hold some aspirations to take his golfing to the professional level, his father says that he is focused on getting his degree. Smith said he would have to make that decision when the time comes.

“You have to be so focused on golf to be a professional,” he said. “It becomes your entire life. It’s something you really have to think about before you decide to do it or not.”

Corey Campbell signs with the University of Arkansas

POTTSVILLE — “I don’t think I’m better than anyone else at baseball,” Pottsville senior Corey Campbell said shortly after signing a NCAA Division I national letter of intent with the University of Arkansas to play baseball. “I just think I’m an average kid chasing a dream.”

Yet according to ESPN, Campbell is the No. 1 ranked baseball player in the state and 174th in the nation for the class of 2013.

Additionally, Campbell has been contacted by several professional baseball teams, including the Atlanta Braves, world champion San Francisco Giants and former world champ Philadelphia Phillies.

The decision to go to Arkansas was an easy choice for Campbell. There were other college offers, but his eyes were always on the Razorbacks.

“My goal was always to go to Arkansas,” Campbell said. “I remember going up to watch the Razorbacks play when I was little.

Now I’ll be playing on that same field [at Baum Stadium]. It’s a dream come true.”

Apaches head coach Wes McCrotty spoke at the signing ceremony.

“I’ve watched him grow up into the baseball player he is today,” McCrotty said. “To be able to sign with an SEC level team is quite an honor and a feat.”

During his time at Pottsville, Campbell helped the team win the conference tournament championship, was twice named all-conference, and in 2012 was awarded with all-state honors.

After Campbell made it official, the crowd of students, family, teammates and friends called the Hogs.

Campbell dawned a Razorbacks ball cap and thanked the crowd, his family and God for giving him the ability to play baseball.